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Rhythmic Circus set to hit Opera House stage

FAIRMONT — The Fairmont Opera House is participating in the holiday season with something of a twist Friday.

Rhythmic Circus is coming to town, bringing a celebration of not only the holiday season, but the arrival of a relatively new show.

“After working on this show for about a year and a half, it is exciting to get these pieces out onto the stage,” said Nick Bowman, executive director of the group. “Only weeks ago did we perform this holiday show for the first time, and Fairmont is our first show in our home state of Minnesota.”

As Midwesterners, the cast of Rhythmic Circus understands what it takes to be hard-working and appreciative of where they come from.

“We celebrate the fact that we are from the Midwest, and show off our Minnesota pride everywhere we go,” Bowman said. “It is a place of hard-working people, and this (Rhythmic Circus) is a continuously hard-working group of people.”

Many times, the performance world and small town values don’t mix, but the cast hits it right on the head when it comes to authenticity and balance in their shows.

“We are artist-owned, meaning we have no producer,” Bowman said. “We started with a loan from my grandma and a credit card. We have always been a do-it-yourself group, including every bit of staging done by hand, the costumes, and the songs we have chosen to perform and actually want to do.”

The Red and Green show has meaning in its name, as well as its reasoning. After almost a decade of Feet Don’t Fail Me Now, performed at the Fairmont Opera House in 2013, Rhythmic Circus took its style and individuality to the next level as it made its show carry sentimental value more than ever before.

“We call it the Red and Green show after the idea of an ugly sweater party we have every year with our community of friends,” Bowman said. “When we set up the show, we wanted something like that event where it felt like a Christmas party, come as your are, holiday cheer that everybody can relate to.”

Along with the name holding meaning, so does the attitude of the show itself as it appeals to all ages. From young kids to the older generations, the show provides a lively feel and is nothing like seen before as these tap-dancing wizards show off skills and passion, making it an unforgettable experience.

During the show, there will be familiar tunes played, along with five original pieces.

“It will be our take and our brand of song and dance that is still holiday-esque, but unique,” Bowman said. “You are getting sentimental and familiar songs that people know and love, but with a creative take on it appealing to all ages that will have people singing along with us.”

Rhythmic Circus, a world-renowned group, felt passionate about sharing something special with its audience and families that connect them to their wholesome roots and giving hearts, setting them a part from the rest once again.

“We wanted to create something we could share with our grandparents, families and friends that provide a memory for all of our personal communities,” Bowman said. “We aren’t getting any younger, and we wanted to create that thing that is very personal and this is it. We have put our hearts into it and have the opportunity to give back.”

The acceptance and craze over the new traditions being born with this show is not only being received well by those who have seen it, but being talked of by those eager to in the coming days and weeks. While the Opera House has planned for this show to come to Fairmont for around a year, as the day approaches so does the excitement for those who will be working hand in hand with Rhythmic Circus on the stage we know and love.

“We are excited to bring Rhythmic Circus back onto the Opera House stage,” said Blake Potthoff, Fairmont Opera House technical director and stage manager. “The community has responded with excitement about having this group return and a number of regional musicians and dance instructors have personally raved to me about their own experiences working directly with multiple individuals from Rhythmic Circus.”

Part of the interesting and captivating teamwork Rhythmic Circus shares is the freedom for individuality and friendship that go hand in hand. Almost all of the cast members have known each other and have been friends for around 20-plus years. Along with that comes the sincere gestures and friendly gimmicks on stage that shine light on both the musicians and the dancers equally.

“The reality of our show is that the music is just as much a part of the show as the dancing is, and we are genuinely a fan of each others work,” Bowman said. “Around 90 percent of the group that is with us today is the same that started, and through family life, personal careers and lessons learned, we have continued to support one another and learn from each other to provide the best show we can.”

Tickets for the show are still available for purchase online and at the Opera House. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and, according to Berkland, festive Christmas gear — like ugly Christmas sweaters — are appropriate attire. Hot chocolate and cupcakes will be available; intermission will offer a chance to take fun family photos; and there will be autographs with the performers after the show in the lobby.

“We share memories from the last time we were in Fairmont, as it was the beginning of a new chapter for us,” Bowman said of one of the first shows after coming off of Broadway. “We are grateful and excited to share with the community our new holiday show and look forward to seeing everyone on Friday.”

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